MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It’s Championship week in Tennessee and one of our hometown boys is walking away from Tennessee’s Mr. Football awards with a win.
Coltin Blevins, a senior linebacker for South Pittsburg, earned the Lineman of the Year nod in Class 1A. South Pittsburg sophomore running back Jajuan Lankford was also a finalist for the 1A Back of the Year, but was beaten out by Perry County’s Jacob Tucker.
“It was a big surprise. I wanted to win, but I didn’t think I would win,” said Blevins, whose Pirates will play Wayne County for the Class 1A state title later this week. ”It means a lot. I’m speechless, really.”
“Of course, it would mean a lot more if we could top it off with a state championship on Friday.”
Blevins, a 5-foot-11, 225-pound senior captain, was a three-year starter for the Pirates at both linebacker and offensive guard. An all-state selection the defensive MVP of the state title game in 2010, Blevins didn’t miss a beat in his final season in 2011.
“Sometimes it’s not easy to live up to expectations and hype, especially after the season he had last year,” said South Pittsburg head coach Vic Grider. “A lot was on him this year, but a credit to him, he lived up to everything that was asked and needed of him this year.”
He finished the 2011 regular season with 124 total tackles (71 solo) and five tackles for a loss. He added one sack, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
“He was our bell cow,” Grider said. ”He was the guy we could count on to be out there each and every week. I don’t know that we’ve had a winner more deserving than Coltin.”
Blevins is just the second lineman of the year winner for South Pittsburg, joining Aaron Chambers, who won the honor in 1999. He’s the fourth Pirate to earn a Mr. Football award, and first since quarterback Terrell Robinson in 2009.
2011 TENNESSEE TITANS MR. FOOTBALL AWARD WINNERS
Division I, Class A Lineman
Coltin Blevins, South Pittsburg
Division I, Class A Back
Jacob Tucker, Perry County
Division I, Class AA Lineman
Terrell Rollins, Greeneville
Division I, Class AA Back
Charlie High, CAK
Division I, Class AAA Lineman
Jay Guillermo, Maryville
Division I, Class AAA Back
I’Tavius Mathers, Blackman
Division II-A Lineman
Brewer Congleton, Knoxville Webb
Division II-A Back
Caleb Blance, Knoxville Webb
Division II-AA Lineman
Barrett Gouger, Baylor
Division II-AA Back
Cornelius Elder, Ensworth
Kicker of the Year
Henrique Ribeiro, Baylor
Information from: WRCB-TV
